The Best Washi Scissors for Hairdressers
Washi Scissor Company was founded in 1988 by Marc Milman and is based in Hobe Sound, Florida. The range uses Hitachi Japanese steel across its cutting models and spans 440C at the entry tier through VG-10 and ATS-314 at the professional and flagship levels. Five picks here cover $139 to $649, including a double-swivel ergonomic model and the Ultimate Silk, which carries Washi's Anti-Push edge — the house signature documented on the brand's premium cutting line.
What are the best Washi scissors for professional hairdressers?
The Cotton Candy, around $139, is Washi's accessible 440C entry scissor. The Sable Master, around $299, is the Master line 440C at a higher production standard in two sizes. The 720 Double Swivel, around $329, puts a double-swivel mechanism in a single size for stylists managing joint strain. The Ultimate Silk, around $499, is the VG-10 model with Washi's Anti-Push edge across four sizes from 5.5 to 7.0 inch. The AX Ultimate, around $649, is the ATS-314 flagship in three sizes.
Two picks use 440C (Cotton Candy and Sable Master); the 720 Double Swivel documents Japanese Steel and a swivel handle position; the Ultimate Silk and AX Ultimate step to VG-10 and ATS-314 respectively. The Anti-Push edge is documented on the Ultimate Silk — Washi’s designation for their convex cutting edge technology on the premium VG-10 model. All five document USA as country of manufacture; confirm steel and manufacturing details on the Washi brand website.
Verified Jun 2026
Five Washi picks from $139 to $649
| Attribute | Washi Cotton Candy Washi | Washi Sable Master Washi | Washi 720 Double Swivel Washi | Washi Ultimate Silk Washi | Washi AX Ultimate Washi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price guide | US$139 | US$299 | US$329 | US$499 | US$649 |
| Price tier | Entry-level | Mid-range | Mid-range | Premium | Premium |
| Steel | 440C Stainless Steel | 440C | Unknown | VG-10 | ATS-314 |
| Made in | USA | USA | USA | USA | USA |
| Handle | Offset | Offset | Swivel | Offset | Offset |
| Blade type | Convex | Convex | Convex | Convex | Convex |
| Sizes (in) | 5.5 | 5.5 · 6.0 | 5.75 | 5.5 · 6.0 · 6.5 · 7.0 | 5.5 · 6.0 · 6.25 |
| View product | View product | View product | View product | View product |
All five made in the USA. Steel grades from product pages. Guide prices at time of writing; confirm current figures on each product page.
Washi’s steel progression
Washi is an American scissor brand founded in 1988 by Marc Milman, based in Hobe Sound, Florida. The range uses Hitachi Japanese steel and spans from 440C at the entry tier through VG-10 and ATS-314 at the premium level. Washi’s Anti-Push edge is the house signature on the VG-10 and premium cutting line — documented on the Ultimate Silk product page as the convex edge technology suited to slide cutting, point cutting, and scissor-over-comb work.
The five picks below cover the key tiers in the cutting range: 440C at entry and mid, a double-swivel ergonomic option, VG-10 with Anti-Push, and ATS-314 at the flagship level. The 720 Double Swivel is included as a distinct handle-type pick rather than a steel-tier progression step.
The five picks
1. Washi Cotton Candy (guide price around $139). Washi’s entry-tier 440C cutting scissor. 440C stainless steel, convex edge, offset handle. Available in 5.5 inch — the entry point into the Washi cutting range. The Cotton Candy is the accessible starting pick: 440C at the lowest guide price in this list in a single size. Available through Washi Scissor Co., Stay Sharp, and Edgemaster International.
2. Washi Sable Master (around $299). Washi’s Master line 440C cutting scissor. 440C cobalt-grade steel, convex edge, offset handle. Available in 5.5 and 6.0 inch. The Sable Master sits in Washi’s Master line — the product page documents cobalt-grade 440C and a convex edge at the mid-tier price point, a step up in production standard from the entry Cotton Candy at the same steel grade. Available through Washi Scissor Co. and specialist Washi stockists.
3. Washi 720 Double Swivel (around $329). Washi’s double-swivel ergonomic scissor. Japanese Steel, swivel thumb design, convex edge. Available in 5.75 inch — the intermediate length between 5.5 and 6.0 inch. The 720 Double Swivel is a separate ergonomic track from the standard offset models: the swivel thumb mechanism allows the thumb ring to rotate through the cutting stroke, documented on the product page. For stylists managing wrist or thumb joint strain who want a Washi with a rotating thumb. Available through Washi Scissor Co..
4. Washi Ultimate Silk (around $499). Washi’s VG-10 scissor with Anti-Push edge. VG-10 cobalt steel, Anti-Push edge, convex, offset handle. Available in 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, and 7.0 inch — the widest size run on this page, including the 7.0 inch length suited to scissor-over-comb and long-panel work. The Ultimate Silk is where Washi’s Anti-Push edge is documented — the product page describes it as a convex cutting technology suited to slide cutting, point cutting, and scissor-over-comb. The four-size run from 5.5 to 7.0 inch makes it the most versatile pick on this list for technique and length coverage. Available through Washi Scissor Co., Stay Sharp, and Edgemaster International.
5. Washi AX Ultimate (around $649). Washi’s ATS-314 flagship cutting scissor. ATS-314 cobalt steel, convex edge, offset handle. Available in 5.5, 6.0, and 6.25 inch — including the 6.25 inch intermediate length not available on the other offset picks. The AX Ultimate is Washi’s top-tier cutter by price — ATS-314 cobalt steel, which the product page documents for superior edge retention, above the VG-10 tier of the Ultimate Silk. Available through Washi Scissor Co. and specialist Washi stockists.
How we chose
Each pick documents its steel grade and USA as country of manufacture on the product page. The five span three steel grades (440C, VG-10, ATS-314), two handle configurations (offset and swivel), and a $139 to $649 price range. The 720 Double Swivel is included for its documented swivel handle — a distinct ergonomic option alongside the offset models. The Ultimate Silk is the Anti-Push edge showcase: the VG-10 model where the house signature is documented on the product page. Guide prices move; confirm current figures before buying.
The wider Washi range
The Washi Diamond Ice (around $229) is a 440C offset scissor with a decorative finish in 5.5 and 6.0 inch. The Washi Silver Crown (around $279) puts 440C in a high-polish finish in 5.5 and 6.0 inch. The Washi Master Double Swivel (around $395) is a higher-tier double-swivel in 5.5 and 6.0 inch. The Washi SmartClik (around $500) adds a multi-position adjustable thumb ring to a VG-10 Cobalt build. Left-handed models — including the Washi Black Star Lefty (around $245) — and the full thinning range are on the Washi brand page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Washi Scissor Company was founded in 1988 by Marc Milman and is based in Hobe Sound, Florida. The brand documents Hitachi Japanese steel across its professional cutting range, with 440C at the entry tier, VG-10 in the mid-to-premium tier, and ATS-314 at the flagship level. Country of manufacture is documented as USA on each product page. For full steel specifications and manufacturing details, consult the Washi brand website.
The Anti-Push edge is Washi’s name for the convex blade technology documented on the Ultimate Silk and other premium models in the range. The product page describes it as a razor-sharp convex edge suited to slide cutting, point cutting, and scissor-over-comb work. The anti-push descriptor refers to how the convex geometry moves through hair — the blade shape resists pushing or folding hair strands, which can create drag and uneven cuts. The exact grinding profile is Washi’s proprietary specification; confirm details on the brand website or product page before buying.
A double-swivel scissor has both the thumb ring and the finger ring designed to rotate through the cutting stroke — as opposed to a single-swivel where only the thumb ring rotates. The rotation allows the joints to travel in a more natural arc, reducing torsional load during repeated cutting. The Washi 720 Double Swivel documents a swivel thumb design and is available in one size (5.75 inch). For stylists with strain in both the thumb and finger joints, the double-swivel mechanism addresses both sides simultaneously.
The Ultimate Silk uses VG-10 steel and documents Washi’s Anti-Push edge — available in 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, and 7.0 inch, making it the widest size run in the Washi cutting range at the premium tier. The AX Ultimate uses ATS-314 cobalt steel and is available in 5.5, 6.0, and 6.25 inch. ATS-314 is a cobalt-enhanced steel capable of reaching higher hardness than standard VG-10; the AX Ultimate is Washi’s top-tier cutting model by price ($649 versus $499). Both document convex edges and offset handles. The choice is between the four-size VG-10 model and the ATS-314 flagship.
Yes. Washi’s catalogue includes left-handed models, including the Black Star Lefty — a dedicated left-handed cutting shear. See the Washi brand page for the full left-handed range. Left-handed Washi models are built as mirror-image scissors, not simply swapped-handle right-handed pairs.
Yes. Washi makes thinning and blending shears, including the AX Ultimate Thinner (ATS-314) and the ZAP Master Blender (Hitachi Cobalt). The full thinning range is on the Washi brand page. This roundup covers cutting scissors only.